Iron status of first year medical students at Gezira University

To determine the iron status of first-year medical students at Gezira University and identify influence of ethnic group and gender on the iron status. Cross-sectional community based study. The sample consisted of 160 students aged 16-20 years with a mean [ +/- SD] age 18.56 +/- 0.94 of both sexes [70 = males, 90 = females]. Blood samples were collected from each student and questionnaire was completed. Haemoglobin [Hb], packed cell volume [PCV], serum iron and total iron binding capacity were determined by cyanomethaemoglobin method, microhaematocrit centrifuge and colourmetric methods respectively. Mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration [MCHC] and transferrin saturation were calculated. The mean [ +/- SD] concentration of Hb, serum iron and transferrin saturation of all male students was 14.86 +/- 1.29 g/dL, 102.46 +/- 30.5 micro g/dL and 39.72 +/- 11.23% respectively. The mean [ +/- SD] concentrations of Hb, serum-iron and transferrin saturation of all female students was 12.57 +/- 0.92 g/dL, 57.51 +/- 11.8 micro g/dL and 21.12 +/- 5.4% respectively. Haemoglobin level, serum-iron and transferrin saturation were within normal levels according to WHO criteria. There were significant differences between mean values of biochemical parameters and sex of students and father income P<0.05. There was no significant association between iron status parameters and family size and ethnic groups. There was positive correlation between subject iron status and diet [meat, liver, fruits and hilba]. Iron status of first-year medical students at Gezira University is within normal reference values. This is in line with the health status of the students

Severe malaria in Sudanese children: clinical aspects and prognosis in hospitalized patients

To assess the epidemiology, clinical presentations, disease management, outcome and risk factors associated with severe malaria in children in four hospitals in Sudan. Follow-up prospective design was used to fulfill the objectives of the study in four hospitals: Omdurman pediatrics hospital, located in the capital [Khartoum] compared to Madani, Gadarif and Sennar hospitals located in other states. Total admission of severe malaria was 543 children representing 21% of all paediatric admissions, and 12% of malaria outpatient cases. Median age of children with severe malaria was 48 months. 93% of children with severe malaria died before the age of 9 years. Case fatality rate was 2.6%. The risk of dying because of delay was four times more than when there was no delay, 95% CI [1.5 - 14.3]. Other risks of death were severe malaria associated with coma, inability to sit or eat and hyperpyrexia. Omdurman hospital in Khartoum State in the capital, had the highest case management performance percentage compared to other regional hospitals. In view of this, it can be argued that deaths due to severe malaria could be reduced by improving health management and planning with the redistribution of resources [including consultants] at the central and regional levels and the conduct of proper training